Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has stated that it is the primary obligation of any government to ensure that individuals, particularly the poor and most vulnerable in society, have fair access to basic healthcare.
The governor came out to say it is necessary that the government reimburse and strengthen the health sector in order to be accessible to every Nigerian, both poor and rich.
Wike who was present at the ongoing construction work at the multibillion-naira Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre; the Basic Clinical Sciences and Clinical Sciences, the Renal and Pathology Departments for the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt on Saturday, had claimed.
He stated that the government’s huge investment in tertiary hospitals and public health infrastructure is aimed at making the state the country’s medical tourism hub, adding that any government that recognizes the importance of public health and its critical role in nation building will make it a priority to strengthen public health institutions so that those who cannot afford to seek medical attention can receive it.
Speaking on the fact that it is not everyone that is financially strong and could travel out the country to gain medical attention, which intensifies the call for necessitating a balanced and sustainable health institution across the country.
“How many individuals can afford to travel internationally?” Wike asked.
We have all we need to strengthen our health-care system and deliver the essential services.
We already have doctors; all that remains is to train and retrain them. Look at how many people flock to Government House Hospital in Port Harcourt because the minimum amenities are available and the physicians are eager and committed to working in the conditions they have found themselves in.
“There is no need for us to fly overseas if you provide our people with the necessary environment and provide them with the facilities and equipment to work.
When people visit Government House Clinic, they comment on how different the facilities are from what they see in other countries.
As a result, we will be able to replicate it in Nigeria.”
He stated that the government must make incentives and the building of an enabling environment a top priority in order to ensure that doctors and other medical experts do their jobs well.
“So my own motivation is that if I have the opportunity to go internationally, what about people who do not?
“Do they have to perish just because they don’t have a chance?” the governor wondered.
“It is the responsibility of government to ensure that our citizens are provided with the best possible protection for their lives,” he continued.
It is the government’s responsibility to safeguard lives.
“So for me, it is our responsibility and so we must do everything we can to see that we save the lives of our people by making sure that our healthcare delivery system is working and the doctors are also
given the best for them to work.”
Wike described the quality of work at the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, as very satisfactory. He disclosed that the contractor, Julius Berger, is working assiduously to meet the deadline for the completion the project.
He explained that the on going construction work at the Basic Clinical Sciences and Clinical Sciences; Renal and Pathology Departments buildings are required to make the Rivers State University a full fledged Teaching Hospital.
He further said the State government is not owing the contractors handling the Renal Centre, Pathology Department, Basic Clinical Sciences or the Clinical Sciences buildings of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. He charged the institution to ensure that all the contractors work towards the completion of the project by May 2022.
“We have spent so much money in the health sector and we believe that our people at the end of the day will appreciate what we have been able to commit to health. For us, giving Rivers people the best has always been our priority. All I pray is that the contractors should meet up the time.”
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